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Kuntergrau : Seasons 1 & 2 (German) (Web Series)

I am surprised that I had not heard of this series until very recently. Set in Cologne, Germany; the web series had 2 seasons of 5 and 4 episodes respectively. I guess the main idea behind making the series was to show was it means to be gay in today's time (Today being 2017, when the series came out).

The series follows a group of friends: Jan and Noah have been in a relationship for a while but they are going through their issues. The thing is Noah likes BDSM and wants Jan to dominate him. Jan tries but thats not him and eventually cracks start to seep in until one day Jan finds Noah cheating on him and he leaves him. We have Marcel, who works at a bank and likes being single and enjoys sex and one night stands. He is HIV positive but knows what he is dealing with. We then have Leopold, Jan's closet friend who doesn't want to be known only by his sexuality. Finally, we meet Lukas, who has moved to this city form his controlling parents who threw him out after finding out he is gay. Marcel and Lukas have a few sex sessions before Lukas meets Leopold and they both soon get in a relationship. We follow lives of these people. We see Lukas' mother making an attempt to reconnect with her son but unable to break the barrier, Lukas has constant insecurities with Leopold for no apparent reason. Marcel meets a very charming young man Phillip and for the first time, he feels like taking it to a different level only to find out that Phillip is straight and loves him but not in a sexual way. Leopold somehow gets into the path of prostitution which starts as a harmless fun and soon becomes a habit. Thankfully he realizes and calls in all his friends for an intervention.

The series, from a story perspective is very real and show some of the issues, problems and things that todays youth is dealing with being gay. Stuff like drugs, one night stands, HIV, BDSM, threesome etc. are all tackled, which is good because none of them have been done in an over dramatic way. Things are handled very sensitively and logically. The actors all fit their parts very well, except for one major drawback. They just don't have any chemistry at all as lovers. Lukas and Leo as individuals do great but you just don't feel their love at all. They just seem like friends and so do Jan and Noah. Marcel and Phillip have the best storyline and they have a great chemistry too. I wish their stories were further explored. The whole angle of Jan going into prostitution was a bit weirs for me. I didn't understand why would anyone would do that, especially the reasons shown were just not justified to me as an audience. I am glad that they didn't force Jan and Noah to be together and show that they openly talk about the fact that they will not change as a basic person who they are, so they need to accept it and move on.

The series has its pros and cons and pros outweigh the cons and its a light , breezy easy watch. A web series that represents our concept of our own sexuality: natural, self-confident, outspoken. (6/10)

Comments

ILHiker said…
Just a quick addition to anyone who goes to watch this. It's a really good series, but there's now a third season that takes a turn into tragedy. I would encourage you to make sure you stick around for the after-credits scene of the final episode so you can leave on a happy note. I really enjoyed this series, except the third season was a really hard watch. The fallout of the relationship due to the S&M is an interesting combination of heartbreaking and hilarious.
Golu said…
Thats good to know that there has been a season 3 of this. I don't think I have that with me. Will need to find a way to get my hands on it. Thanks for the tip on after credits.
ILHiker said…
I rewatched the whole thing over the last week. It was every bit as wonderful as the first viewing. The ending of season two was more powerful than I recalled, with the young man finally understanding so deeply why it really was the right thing for his relationship to have ended. I almost stopped before season three because I just didn't want to be put through the wringer, but I went on. There are bright spots on the third season, a romance that is almost too-good-to-be-true but turns out it is just too good, the beginnings of a romance grounded in support and trust in challenging circumstances. There were also a lot of flashbacks, where were good scenes, but this time going through I understood what they really were which made them a harder watch. I watched the scene at the end of the final credits three times. I just felt like I needed it. It occurs to me that I finally found the third season of Woke, so am looking forward to that. The first two had plenty of drama, but left me feeling outrage along with some of the characters rather than heartbroken. I think I must be a bit of a sap. I do spend a lot of time to my competition shows.
Golu said…
I am still to lay my hands on season 3 of this show. Hopefully soon. :)
What I am reading from your comment is that it is still worth a go.

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